Commandor
1. Commandor was developed by intercrossing approximately 500 plants which had been selected for resistance to anthracnose, spotted alfalfa aphid, Verticillium wilt or Phytophthora root rot from two NK experimental multiple pest resistant lines (S81-334-S-M and 581-335-S-M) . Seed harvested from the 500 plants grown in isolation near Othello, WA was designated breeder seed (Syn 1). The two experimental lines trace to crosses of Drummor and Preserve with two Verticillium wilt resistant European cultivars.
2. Area of probable adaptation is the northern United States where it will be used for general forage purposes. The variety has been tested in Washington, Idaho, Minnesota, Iowa, Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania.
3. Commandor has fall dormancy similar to Saranac. Flower color is approximately 75% purple and 24% variegated. It also exhibits a low frequency of (less than 1%) yellow, and white flowers.
4. Commandor has high resistance to anthracnose; resistance to Phytophthora root rot, bacterial wilt and Fusarium wilt; moderate resistance to stem nematode, Verticillium wilt and spotted alfalfa aphid. Reaction to pea aphid is unknown.
5. Adequate breeder seed (Syn 1) was produced to last the life of the variety during two years and seed was bulked. Seed classes will be breeder (Syn 1), foundation (Syn 2 or 3) and certified (Syn 2, 3 or 4). Two generations of foundation seed may be produced at the discretion of Northrup King Co. Limitation on age of stand will be two, three and five years respectively for production of breeder, foundation and certified seed.
6. Certified seed will be offered for sale in 1986.
7. Application for plant variety protection will be made but the certification option will not be requested.
Variety Description Amendments
Paragraph three (3), first sentence: "Commandor has fall dormancy similar to Saranac and cold tolerance similar to Ranger."